--- title: Bladder Cancer and Urodynamics description: Bladder Cancer and Urodynamics - Urodynamics is a critical tool for the discovery and proper diagnosis of bladder cancer. Find out more. February 2017 image: https://info.bhnco.com/hubfs/Bladder_Cancer_And_Urodynamics.jpg --- [![optional logo](https://info.bhnco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BHN_logo-1.jpg?width=90&height=90&name=BHN_logo-1.jpg) Brighter Health Network Turn-key, On-site Medical Testing](http://www.bhnco.com/index.html) [Customer Sign in](http://www.bhnportal.com/) - [Home](https://www.bhnco.com/index.html) - [About us](https://www.bhnco.com/about_us.html) - Services - Urodynamic Services - [Urodynamic Testing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urodynamic-services.html) - [Urodynamics Training](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urodynamics-training.html) - [Urodynamic Staffing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urology-obgyn-staff-services.html) - [Pediatric Urodynamic Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/pediatric-urodynamics-services.html) - Anorectal Manometry Services - [Anorectal Manometry Testing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/anorectal-manometry-services.html) - [Anorectal Manometry Training](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/anorectal-manometry-training.html) - [Anorectal Manometry Staffing Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/gastroenterology-staff-services.html) - Other Services - [UroCuff Testing Servcies](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/urocuff-testing-services.html) - [Clinical Trial Support Services](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/clinical-trial-support-services.html) - [Medical Device Field Service/Support](https://www.bhnco.com/Services/medical-device-inservice-outsourcing-services.html) - [Careers](https://www.bhnco.com/BHN-Careers-Jobs.html) - [Blog](https://info.bhnco.com/blog) - Resources - General Resources - [Why outsourcing diagnostics is prudent?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/outsourcing-medical-diagnostics.html) - Urodynamics Resources - [What is a Urodynamics Test?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/what-is-a-urodynamics-test.html) - [Urodynamics - Useful Terms](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/urodynamics-useful-terms.html) - [Urodynamics - Useful videos](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/urodynamics-useful-videos.html) - [When should Urodynamics be performed?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/When-should-urodynamics-be-performed.html) - [Urodynamics Testing Best Practices](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/urodynamics-testing-best-practices.html) - [Top 10 Urodynamics Mistakes](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/top-ten-urodynamics-mistakes.html) - [Largest Urology Practices in U.S.](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/largest-urology-practices-in-unitedstates.html) - [In-office Urodynamics Testing](https://www.bhnco.com/BHN_inoffice.htm) - Anorectal Manometry Resources - [What is Anorectal Manometry?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/What-is-anorectal-manometry.html) - [Anorectal Manometry - Useful Terms](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/anorectal-manometry-useful-terms.html) - [Anorectal Manometry - Useful Videos](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/anorectal-manometry-useful-videos.html) - [Why anorectal manometry?](https://www.bhnco.com/Resources/Why-anorectal-manometry.html) - [Contact](https://www.bhnco.com/contact.html) ![Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg](https://info.bhnco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg?width=1920&name=Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg "Collage_nurses_urodynamics_equipment.jpg") ## BHN Healthcare Blog # Bladder Cancer and Urodynamics Posted by [Clark Love](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/author/clark-love) on Feb 8, 2017 12:36:17 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [**Bladder cancer**](http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bladder-cancer/about-clinical-trials) **is an increasingly common phenomenon, particularly among male smokers aged 55 and older. More than** [**70,000 Americans**](http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-60761-928-4_1)**1 are diagnosed with bladder cancer yearly, and that number is expected to continue to rise. When detected early, bladder cancer is highly treatable with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Urodynamic testing is one way that bladder cancer can be detected when lower urinary tract symptoms are experienced.** ## **Types of Bladder Cancer![Bladder_Cancer_And_Urodynamics.jpg](https://info.bhnco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bladder_Cancer_And_Urodynamics.jpg?width=320&name=Bladder_Cancer_And_Urodynamics.jpg)** There are three main types of bladder cancer: urothelial carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Urothelial carcinoma (also known as transitional cell carcinoma) is most common, comprising approximately 90% of all bladder cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma makes up approximately 4% of bladder cancer cases, while adenocarcinoma accounts of 2% of bladder cancers.   ## **Bladder Cancer Symptoms** The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Hematuria might occur frequently, or intermittently. Other, less common, symptoms include urinary irritation, frequent urination, inability to urinate, a sudden urge to urinate, and incontinence. ## **Bladder Cancer Risk Factors** The most prevalent risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking, particularly among males (this study2 delves into the root cause of bladder cancer). Smokers are 4 – 7 times more likely to develop bladder cancer than non-smokers, and men are 4 times as likely as women to develop this disease. Industrial exposure to aromatic amines, rubber, leather, textiles, and paint products may also increase a patient’s risk of developing cancer. Chronic dehydration in addition to the diabetes medication Actos and dietary supplements containing [aristolochic acid](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26015808)3 have also been shown to increase a person’s risk of developing this disease. ## **Bladder Cancer and Urodynamics** Urodynamic testing occurs in two different ways for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Most commonly, urodynamic testing is performed in order to rule out other causes of lower urinary tract symptoms, such as an enlarged prostate or interstitial cystitis. However, there are two urodynamic tests that are specifically performed for positive identification of bladder cancer, including videourodynamics (cystography) and testing the compliance of the bladder. ## **Compliance** [Compliance](http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2113529-overview) refers to the bladder’s ability to stretch its walls in order to accommodate increasing volumes of urine. A normal bladder will freely stretch and distend when filled, and only a slight increase in bladder pressure will be experienced at maximum capacity. Low compliance indicates an abnormality within the detrusor muscles to stretch while also maintaining low pressures within the bladder. Bladder cancer, interstitial cystitis, and radiation cystitis may cause low bladder compliance as well. To test compliance, a [complex cystometrogram](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1695782)4 is performed. During this test the behavior of the bladder and sphincter will be examined, as well as bladder capacity and pressure. When diagnosing bladder cancer, the main reason to perform a cystometrogram is to measure bladder compliance in relation to bladder pressure. To perform a cystometrogram a catheter is inserted into the patient’s urethra and then directly into the bladder. The bladder will be filled with a sterile saline solution while the filling pressure is measured. The patient is asked to report sensations such as pain, urge to urinate, and feelings of bladder fullness. The bladder will then be voided and the appropriate pressures will again be measured. This procedure takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes to perform. A second type of urodynamic test performed in the diagnosis of bladder cancer is videourodynamics, also called cystography. To date, cystoscopy has been widely considered the “gold standard” for bladder cancer diagnosis; however, there are functional difficulties with this test. For instance, male patients make up the majority of bladder cancer cases, yet the characteristic bending and flexibility of the male urethra can make this test difficult to perform. Therefore, cystography is a better option, and also carries a lower chance of complications, such as infection. During a cystographic test a urinary catheter is used to fill the bladder with radiocontrast. X-ray imaging is performed while the patient voids his or her bladder up to three times. For potential bladder cancer patients, cystography and [virtual cystoscopy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19471998)5 can be used to visualize urinary tumors and extravesicle extensions. When staging the tumor, cystography is mandatory. Cystography takes approximately 60 minutes to perform. Because of the sensitivity of these techniques, as well as how well-understood they are among urologists, bladder cancer and urodynamic testing go hand-in-hand. **Find out how to effecitvely offer or improve urodynamics in your practice by clicking the button below.  ** **[![Get Urodynamics Testing Services Brochure and Pricing](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/1835638/4d79b463-dff4-443a-b652-a46b4091ef65.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/1835638/4d79b463-dff4-443a-b652-a46b4091ef65)**   If you found the above article useful you may want to check out our post on [Neurogenic Bladder and Urodynamics](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/neurogenic-bladder-and-urodynamics): [http://info.bhnco.com/blog/neurogenic-bladder-and-urodynamics](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/neurogenic-bladder-and-urodynamics) **References** 1. Ribal, M. J. (2010). Bladder Cancer Epidemiology. Bladder Tumors:, 1-22. doi:10.1007/978-1-60761-928-4\_1 Link 2. Payton, S. (2014). Bladder cancer: Root cause of bladder cancer revealed. Nature Reviews Urology, 11(6), 302-302. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2014.108 [Link](http://www.nature.com/nrurol/journal/v11/n6/full/nrurol.2014.108.html) 3. Poon, S. L., Huang, M. N., Choo, Y., Mcpherson, J. R., Yu, W., Heng, H. L., . . . Rozen, S. G. (2015). Mutation signatures implicate aristolochic acid in bladder cancer development. Genome Medicine, 7(1). doi:10.1186/s13073-015-0161-3 [Link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26015808) 4. Schafer W. Principles and clinical application of advanced urodynamic analysis of voiding function. Urol Clin North Am. 1990;17: 553–566. [Link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1695782) 5. 5. Panebianco, V., Sciarra, A., Martino, M. D., Bernardo, S., Vergari, V., Gentilucci, A., . . . Passariello, R. (2009). Bladder carcinoma: MDCT cystography and virtual cystoscopy. Abdominal Imaging, 35(3), 257-264. doi:10.1007/s00261-009-9530-y [Link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19471998) Topics: [urodynamics](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics), [Bladder Cancer](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/bladder-cancer) We hope our blog is helpful.  Please leave us your thoughts and feel free to share any posts of interest to you on your social media accounts using the social media links at the top. ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [urodynamics (34)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics) - [Urodynamics Testing (24)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-testing) - [Anorectal Manometry (9)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry) - [urodynamics equipment (8)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-equipment) - [General Urology Information (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/general-urology-information) - [Medical Practice Operations (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/medical-practice-operations) - [incontinence (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/incontinence) - [urodynamics service provider (7)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-service-provider) - [ObGyn Practices (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/obgyn-practices) - [male urodynamics (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/male-urodynamics) - [urodynamics staffing (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-staffing) - [urodynamics training (6)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-training) - [urodynamics interpretation (5)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-interpretation) - [Male Diagnostics (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/male-diagnostics) - [stress incontinence (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/stress-incontinence) - [urinariy incontinence (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urinariy-incontinence) - [urodynamics profitability (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-profitability) - [urology (4)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology) - [Medical Device Field Service (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/medical-device-field-service) - [Pediatric Urodynamics (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/pediatric-urodynamics) - [Reimbursement (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursement) - [UroGynecology (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urogynecology) - [Uroflowmetry (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/uroflowmetry) - [Urology Practice Trends (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology-practice-trends) - [outsourcing diagnostics (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/outsourcing-diagnostics) - [post-void residual (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/post-void-residual) - [urodynamic catheters (3)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamic-catheters) - [Anorectal Manometry Testing (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-testing) - [BHN (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/bhn) - [Bladder Cancer (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/bladder-cancer) - [Cystometrogram (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/cystometrogram) - [Post-Operative Urodynamics (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/post-operative-urodynamics) - [Reimbursement Trends (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursement-trends) - [Reimbursments (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursments) - [Ultasound (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/ultasound) - [UroCuff (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urocuff) - [Urodynamics Nurse (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-nurse) - [anorectal manometry procedure (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-procedure) - [anorectal manometry test (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-test) - [clinical operations (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/clinical-operations) - [interstitial cystitis (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/interstitial-cystitis) - [pelvic organ prolapse (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/pelvic-organ-prolapse) - [urodynamics billing (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-billing) - [urodynamics catheters (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-catheters) - [video urodynamics (2)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/video-urodynamics) - [American Urogynecologic Society (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/american-urogynecologic-society) - [Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia) - [Brighter Health Network (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/brighter-health-network) - [Catheterization (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/catheterization) - [Colonoscopy (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/colonoscopy) - [Hirschsprung Disease (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/hirschsprung-disease) - [Incontinence Screening Questionnaires (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/incontinence-screening-questionnaires) - [Insider (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/insider) - [InterStim (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/interstim) - [International Urogynecological Association (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/international-urogynecological-association) - [Irritable Bowel Syndrome (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/irritable-bowel-syndrome) - [Medtronic NURO (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/medtronic-nuro) - [Nerve Blocks (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/nerve-blocks) - [Neurogenic Bladder (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/neurogenic-bladder) - [OAB Neuromodulation (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/oab-neuromodulation) - [Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/pelvic-floor-physical-therapy) - [Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflexes (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/rectoanal-inhibitory-reflexes) - [Reimbursment Trends (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/reimbursment-trends) - [Spina Bifida (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/spina-bifida) - [Urgent PC (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urgent-pc) - [Urodynamics And Artificial Intelligence (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-and-artificial-intelligence) - [Urodynamics Reimbursement Rates (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-reimbursement-rates) - [Urodynamics compliance (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urodynamics-compliance) - [Uroflow (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/uroflow) - [Urology Jokes (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology-jokes) - [Urology Practice Staffing (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/urology-practice-staffing) - [ancillary services (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/ancillary-services) - [anorectal manometry treatment (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/anorectal-manometry-treatment) - [colonoscopies (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/colonoscopies) - [colpoplasty (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/colpoplasty) - [fecal incontinence (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/fecal-incontinence) - [finance (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/finance) - [hospital operations (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/hospital-operations) - [intraurethral (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/intraurethral) - [lidocaine (1)](https://info.bhnco.com/blog/topic/lidocaine) see all ### About us flexible and comprehensive urodynamics and anorectal manometry solutions delivered on-site. 1739 University Ave., #338, Oxford, MS 38655 888-508-3330 805-392-8111 [info@BHNCo.com](mailto:info@BHNCo.com) Copyright ©2022 Brighter Health Network, LLC all rights reserved | [Privacy Policy](http://www.bhnco.com/BHN-Privacy-Policy.html) Brighter Health Network ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/959693890/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)